Dorothy Duo Duo Ma

Bio: Dorothy Duo Duo Ma is an academic researcher from City University of Hong Kong. The author has contributed to research in topics: Nanowire & Silicon. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 22 publications receiving 1895 citations.

Small-Diameter Silicon Nanowire Surfaces

Abstract: Small-diameter (1 to 7 nanometers) silicon nanowires (SiNWs) were prepared, and their surfaces were removed of oxide and terminated with hydrogen by a hydrofluoric acid dip. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) of these SiNWs, performed both in air and in ultrahigh vacuum, revealed atomically resolved images that can be interpreted as hydrogen-terminated Si (111)-(1 × 1) and Si (001)-(1 × 1) surfaces corresponding to SiH 3 on Si (111) and SiH 2 on Si (001), respectively. These hydrogen-terminated SiNW surfaces seem to be more oxidation-resistant than regular silicon wafer surfaces, because atomically resolved STM images of SiNWs were obtained in air after several days9 exposure to the ambient environment. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements were performed on the oxide-removed SiNWs and were used to evaluate the electronic energy gaps. The energy gaps were found to increase with decreasing SiNW diameter from 1.1 electron volts for 7 nanometers to 3.5 electron volts for 1.3 nanometers, in agreement with previous theoretical predictions.

Water‐Soluble Silicon Quantum Dots with Wavelength‐Tunable Photoluminescence

Abstract: [*] Prof. Z.-H. Kang, Dr. N.-B. Wong, Prof. S.-T. Lee, Dr. Y. Liu C. H. A. Tsang, Dr. D. D. D. Ma, Dr. X. Fan Center of Super Diamond and Advanced Films (COSDAF) Hong Kong SAR (P.R. China) E-mail: zhkang@suda.edu.cn; bhnbwong@cityu.edu.hk apannale@cityu.edu.hk Prof. Z.-H. Kang, Dr. N.-B. Wong, Dr. Y. Liu, C. H. A. Tsang Department of Biology and Chemistry City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR (P.R. China)

Ag-modified silicon nanowires substrate for ultrasensitive surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy

Abstract: We report a unique substrate for surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS) based on silver nanoparticles-embedded silicon nanowires (SiNWs). The SiNWs were prepared by thermal evaporation of SiO powder via oxide-assisted growth, oxide removed with HF, and then used to reduce silver ions to form a highly decorated Ag-embedded surface. Such modified SiNWs substrates yielded ultrahigh SERS sensitivity, which could detect 25μl of 1×10−16M Rhodamine 6G, 1×10−16M crystal violet, and 1×10−14M nicotine in methanol solutions. An Ag-modified SiNW strand could also enable SERS detection of 25μl of 1×10−8mg∕ml calf thymus DNA. The possible mechanisms for the ultrahigh SERS sensitivity were discussed.

Carbon quantum dots and their applications

Abstract: Fluorescent carbon nanoparticles or carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a new class of carbon nanomaterials that have emerged recently and have garnered much interest as potential competitors to conventional semiconductor quantum dots. In addition to their comparable optical properties, CQDs have the desired advantages of low toxicity, environmental friendliness low cost and simple synthetic routes. Moreover, surface passivation and functionalization of CQDs allow for the control of their physicochemical properties. Since their discovery, CQDs have found many applications in the fields of chemical sensing, biosensing, bioimaging, nanomedicine, photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. This article reviews the progress in the research and development of CQDs with an emphasis on their synthesis, functionalization and technical applications along with some discussion on challenges and perspectives in this exciting and promising field.

Water‐Soluble Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots and Photocatalyst Design

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures are attracting intense interest because of their many unique and novel properties. The strong and tunable luminescence of carbon materials further enhances their versatile properties; in particular, the quantum effect in carbon is extremely important both fundamentally and technologically. Recently, photoluminescent carbonbased nanoparticles have received much attention. They are usually prepared by laser ablation of graphite, electrochemical oxidation of graphite, electrochemical soaking of carbon nanotubes, thermal oxidation of suitable molecular precursors, vapor deposition of soot, proton-beam irradiation of nanodiamonds, microwave synthesis, and bottom-up methods. Although small (ca. 2 nm) graphite nanoparticles show strong blue photoluminescence (PL), definitive experimental evidence for luminescence of carbon structure arising from quantum-confinement effects and size-dependent optical properties of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) remains scarce. Herein, we report the facile one-step alkali-assisted electrochemical fabrication of CQDs with sizes of 1.2– 3.8 nm which possess size-dependent photoluminescence (PL) and excellent upconversion luminescence properties. Significantly, we demonstrate the design of photocatalysts (TiO2/CQDs and SiO2/CQDs complex system) to harness the use of the full spectrum of sunlight (based on the upconversion luminescence properties of CQDs). It can be imagined that judicious cutting of a graphite honeycomb layer into ultrasmall particles can lead to tiny fragments of graphite, yielding CQDs, which may offer a straightforward and facile strategy to prepare high-quality CQDs. Using graphite rods as both anode and cathode, and NaOH/EtOH as electrolyte, we synthesized CQDs with a current intensity of 10–200 mAcm . As a reference, a series of control experiments using acids (e.g. H2SO4/EtOH) as electrolyte yielded no formation of CQDs. This result indicates that alkaline environment is the key factor, and OH group is essential for the formation of CQDs by the electrochemical oxidation process. Figure 1a shows a trans-

Carbon nanodots: synthesis, properties and applications

Abstract: Carbon nanodots (C-dots) have generated enormous excitement because of their superiority in water solubility, chemical inertness, low toxicity, ease of functionalization and resistance to photobleaching. In this review, by introducing the synthesis and photo- and electron-properties of C-dots, we hope to provide further insight into their controversial emission origin (particularly the upconverted photoluminescence) and to stimulate further research into their potential applications, especially in photocatalysis, energy conversion, optoelectronics, and sensing.

Polyoxometalates: Building Blocks for Functional Nanoscale Systems

Abstract: Polyoxometalates (POMs) are a subset of metal oxides that represent a diverse range of molecular clusters with an almost unmatched range of physical properties and the ability to form dynamic structures that can range in size from the nano- to the micrometer scale Herein we present the very latest developments from synthesis to structure and function of POMs We discuss the possibilities of creating highly sophisticated functional hierarchical systems with multiple, interdependent, functionalities along with a critical analysis that allows the non-specialist to learn the salient features We propose and present a "periodic table of polyoxometalate building blocks" We also highlight some of the current issues and challenges that need to be addressed to work towards the design of functional systems based upon POM building blocks and look ahead to possible emerging application areas

Cu and Cu-Based Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis.

Abstract: The applications of copper (Cu) and Cu-based nanoparticles, which are based on the earth-abundant and inexpensive copper metal, have generated a great deal of interest in recent years, especially in the field of catalysis. The possible modification of the chemical and physical properties of these nanoparticles using different synthetic strategies and conditions and/or via postsynthetic chemical treatments has been largely responsible for the rapid growth of interest in these nanomaterials and their applications in catalysis. In addition, the design and development of novel support and/or multimetallic systems (e.g., alloys, etc.) has also made significant contributions to the field. In this comprehensive review, we report different synthetic approaches to Cu and Cu-based nanoparticles (metallic copper, copper oxides, and hybrid copper nanostructures) and copper nanoparticles immobilized into or supported on various support materials (SiO2, magnetic support materials, etc.), along with their applications i...